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About this project

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! (da da DA-da dadadada)

We've already reached our goal, but we're not done yet! We have some incredible new rewards from Mark Waid, Jeff Parker, Skottie Young and more! We've reduced the price on other rewards to make them more affordable andevery new pledge (or increase of an existing pledge) makes you eligible for a free commission sketch of YOUR choice by our cover artist Ben Caldwell!

Let's show the world just how valuable an idea The Graphic Textbook really is!

WE DID IT! (AND WHY WE NEED TO KEEP GOING)

Thank you.

From ALL of us here at Reading With Pictures, thank you so much. With your help - not just through pledges but also retweets and Facebook posts - we've reached our goal and taken The Graphic Textbook from idea to soon-to-be reality. Of course we still have almost three days left in the campaign, so the question now becomes... "How high can this thing go?"

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO...

The Graphic Textbookunites the finest creative talents in the comics industry with the nation's leading experts in visual literacy to create a gamechanging educational tool for the classroom and beyond, one that’s tied to a revolutionary impact study overseen by the Learning Sciences Department of Northwestern University.

The goal is to create an awesomeness-filled book of the highest artistic quality and literary merit that also meets all the criteria necessary to be accepted as classroom curriculum.

Aimed at grades 3-6, The Graphic Textbookfeatures a dozen short stories (both fiction and non-fiction) that address topics in a variety of disciplines (Social Studies, Math, Language Arts, Science) drawn from the list of Common Core Standards used in classrooms countrywide. The accompanying Teacher’s Guide will include Standards-correlated lesson plans customized to each story, research-based justifications for using comics in the classroom, a guide to establishing best classroom practices and a comprehensive listing of additional educational resources.

The Graphic Textbook will prove once and for all that comics belong in the classroom by creating a comic that every teacher will actually want to use and a textbook that every student will actually want to read!

WHO WE ARE...

Reading With Pictures is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity that promotes and facilitates the use of comics in the classroom. We're primarily a volunteer organization, and even our paid employees (such as those involved with The Graphic Textbook) are working at significantly below their normal market rate because they believe in our cause.

We work with the best people because we want to make the best book we possibly can. America's students deserve nothing less.

You can find story synopses, complete creator bios and the full 411 on our editorial and educational team HERE.

HOW IT ALL WORKS...

We're going to release updates with new, unlockable rewards at regular intervals and special campaign milestones until we reach our goal... and then we're going to keep releasing additional rewards until the very last moments of the campaign. Why? Because reaching our goal is just the beginning.

While reaching our goal will underwrite the book's production and its first print run, exceeding our goal will prove beyond a doubt that that a market exists for The Graphic Textbook. We'll then be in the perfect position to expand the concept into an entire line of grade-and-subject specific graphic novels for the classroom and beyond.

Moreover, any profit we earn will be re-invested to fund the educator/librarian services provided free of charge on our website and at conventions, conferences and seminars around the nation.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP...

We've been talking to numerous publishers about a long-term partnership, but first we need to provide proof of this relatively radical concept. We need to prove that there's not only a need, but a market for comics in the classroom. That's why we need your support here on Kickstarter. We know that this book can change lives, but we can't prove it without you.

If you believe in these cartoonists and their mission, then please support us today. And then get your friends to support us tomorrow. And your enemies the day after that. Because really, what better way to bring people together than by using comics to conquer illiteracy?

Help us get comics into schools... and get schools into comics!

PURCHASING MULTIPLE REWARDS...

Yes... but not directly. Kickstarter only allows you to choose a single reward no matter how much you pledge. However, if you wish to purchase multiple rewards you can do the following (and we promise it's not as complicated as it appears):

Add up all the costs of all the rewards you'd like to purchase. Then manually enter that pledge amount.

Select one of the rewards (If one of the rewards you want has a limited quantity available, please choose that one).

Make your payment.

Contact us directly at info@readingwithpictures.org to tell us how much you pledged and what rewards you want and we'll add your information to our "special" ledger reserved only for the most awesome of backers.

ADDED INCENTIVES...

Pledge $100 or more and get one of our exclusive Reading With Pictures posters featuring artwork by Janet Lee, Ben Caldwell and more!

Pledge $100 or more and get a FREE copy of of the Harvey Award-nominated Reading With Pictures Anthology!

Pledge to buy a classroom set (digital, print or both) and RWP founder and award-winning comic writer Josh Elder will provide a how-to-create comics workshop to your school or library via Skype for FREE!

And this is the big one... Pledge any amount (or increase an existing pledge by any amount) and you'll be eligible to win a commission by our cover artist, the incomparable Ben Caldwell! He'll be giving away one commission a day until the end of the campaign, so pledge early and pledge often to maximize your chances!

FAQ

Simply add together the value of all the rewards you would like to purchase in order to determine your total pledge amount. Then choose the highest-value reward from that list as your "official" selection and then email us at info@readingwithpictures.org with the list of all your desired rewards so that we can reconcile your .

Please contact us directly at info@readingwithpictures.org if you are not permitted to place a purchase order on Kickstarter using Amazon's payment system. We can work out another method so that you can still take advantage of all the pre-order pricing and rewards on Kickstarter.

You can change your pledge amount at any time. Simply increase your pledge so that it covers your previous purchase AND the new item you wish to purchase and then email us directly at info@readingwithpictures.org to let us know about the change to your order so we can alter our records accordingly.

Pledge $40 or more

4 backers
Limited (1 left of 5)

C2E2 ATTENDEES ONLY: Get THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print & digital) and a copy of the first, Harvey-nominated READING WITH PICTURES ANTHOLOGY (print & digital) - a $60 value - but this reward is ONLY available to C2E2 attendees who make their Kicksarter pledges in person at our booth (#211)!

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

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Pledge $40 or more

17 backers
Limited (12 left of 29)

CHICAGO CREATOR'S CIRCUIT: Get a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (digital edition included) signed by all the creators who call the Windy City home: Josh Elder, Russell Lissau, Gabriel Bautista and Trevor Mueller.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

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Pledge $40 or more

48 backers
All gone!

TRADING CARD EDITION: Play the Probamon battle card game from the story of the same name by Geoffrey Golden and Nate Pride... using your own limited edition set of Probamon cards signed by the authors! Also includes a signed copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print & digital formats).

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

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Pledge $40 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED SIGNED BOOK - MIKE MIGNOLA: Get the first volume of BPRD in hardcover, signed and sketched in by creator Mike Mignola!

Pledge $50 or more

Pledge $50 or more

0 backers
Limited (10 left of 10)

UNLOCKED CONVENTION PASS: Get a weekend pass and a commemorative t-shirt for the inaugural Denver Comic Con! Get access to amazing guests, panels, dealer tables, artist alley goodness, costume contest, and gaming – and all to benefit our friends at The Comic Book Classroom! A $65 value for only $50!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

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Pledge $50 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL ART - JOHN BIVENS: Get a page of original art from the first RWP ANTHOLOGY by up-and-coming artist John Bivens (POPGUN, COMIC BOOK TATTOO)!

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $50 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED PORTRAIT - DAVE ROMAN: An original b&w "chibi" portrait of donor drawn by artist Dave Roman in the style of his ASTRONAUT ELEMENTARY series from First Second Books.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2012

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Pledge $60 or more

5 backers
All gone!

ORIGINAL ART: Own the original art - penciled and hand-colored - from "Field Trip" by Marvin Mann and Russell Lissau! Includes a copy (print & digital) of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

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Pledge $60 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED SKETCHBOOKS - STAN SAKAI: Procure the (almost) entire set of THE USAGI YOJIMBO SKETCHBOOKS (2,4,5,6,7,8), each one signed by Stan Sakai himself!

Pledge $70 or more

UNLOCKED COMMISSION: Chris Schweizer will draw a sketch of YOU in Revolutionary War-era clothing inside your copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (includes both print and digital)!

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

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Pledge $70 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED GRAPHIC NOVEL: Collect every first issue of DC's New 52 in this massive, 1000+ page hardcover courtesy of Chicago Comics!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

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Pledge $75 or more

2 backers
All gone!

CASTING CALL: Enroll in class alongside Timmy McAllister by being drawn into a scene in "Mail Order Ninja: Showdown with the Sea Apes!" Also comes with a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print & digital). Open only to children ages 8-12.

Pledge $75 or more

0 backers
Limited (3 left of 3)

UNLOCKED CASTING CALL: You’ll be drawn into a future issue of THE DEVASTATOR: THE QUARTERLY COMEDY MAGAZINE FOR HUMANS! (www.devastatorquarterly.com) You’ll also receive a shout-out in the special thanks section of the issue (in which the editors will state, for the record, that you are cool) and an autographed copy of the issue.

Pledge $75 or more

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL ART - CHRIS ELIOPOULOS: Own a page of original art from Chris (YO GABBA GABBA!) Eliopoulos' story from the first RWP ANTHOLOGY!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $75 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

CASTING CALL: Get cast as an innocent bystander to a super battle for the ages in "Menace of the Mathemagician" by Josh Elder and Jen Brazas! Also includes a copy of the THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print and digital).

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $80 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED BOOK/SKETCH - JANET LEE: Get a signed copy of RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN plus 5x7 color sketch with a "Dapper Men" theme!

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $80 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED GAMES AND MORE - MIKE LEE: A set of the 2 Warhammer Darkblade omnibuses (volumes 1 & 2) signed by author Mike Lee, plus a signed copy of Splinter Cell Conviction (Xbox 360 or PS3, buyer's choice

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $85 or more

1 backer
All gone!

SKETCH HARDCOVERS - SKOTTIE YOUNG: Get all 3 of Marvel's OZ hardcovers signed and sketched in by artist Skottie Young!

Pledge $100 or more

2 backers
All gone!

CASTING CALL: Take a journey through time back to the Middle Ages when you're drawn into "Field Trip" by Russell Lissau and Marvin Mann! Includes the original art of the page on which you appear and a copy (print & digital) of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK. Open to children ages 8-12.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

0 backers
Limited (4 left of 4)

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL ART - CHRIS GIARRUSSO: Get a page of original art from Chris Giarrusso's G-Man story from the first RWP ANTHOLOGY!

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL ART - CHRIS GIARRUSSO: Own this one-of-a-kind pen-and-ink drawing on 11x17 bristol board of G-Man and friends by Chris (MINI-MARVELS) Giarrusso!

Estimated delivery:Aug 2012

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED COMMISSION - ROGER LANGRIDGE: Roger Langridge will draw YOU a custom sketch of anything you want! Or even anything you don't want... if that's what you want.

Pledge $120 or more

Pledge $125 or more

3 backers
All gone!

CASTING CALL: Join Sir Isaac Newton and other scientific luminaries as a floating, disembodied head located in the lab of the highly perturbed Dr. Sputnik by being drawn into "Dr. Sputnik: Man of Science" by acclaimed cartoonist Roger Langridge! Includes a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print & digital).

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $125 or more

7 backers
All gone!

ORIGINAL ART: Own a page of original art from Katie Cook's short story "The Power of Print!" Also includes a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK in both print and digital formats.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $125 or more

6 backers
All gone!

ORIGINAL ART: Get a page of original art from Chris Schweizer's story "The Black Brigade!" Also includes a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK in print and digital formats.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $125 or more

1 backer

CLASSROOM SET - DIGITAL: Hook up an entire classroom with 25 copies of the digital edition (on ComicsPlus and a DRM-free PDF) of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK!

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $125 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL CONCEPT ART - MARVIN MANN: An assortment of 13 concept pieces for the story "Field Trip." These are the artist's personal explorations, casual and diverse, sometimes off center, sometimes incomplete, but always fresh. Sizes vary: 8.5x11 and 7x11 inches, copic marker and pitt pen on bristol. Mann will also undertake a final color drawing, on 8.5x11 bristol, of the animal character of your choice in full battle armor, inscribed to you!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $130 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL ART - GENE YANG: Get the one-of-a-kind original art (pen and ink on bristol board) from cartoonist and educator Gene Yang's introduction to THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK! Also includes a copy (print and digital) of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

5 backers
All gone!

CASTING CALL: Become a part of history - get drawn into "George Washington: Action President" by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey! Also includes a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK in both print and digital format.

Pledge $150 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED COMMISSION - JEFFREY BROWN: Own a smallish (apx. 6x9") commission drawing in black and white by Jeffrey Brown! He will draw a picture of just about anything you want. Cats? Certainly. Dinosaurs? Yes, please! Cats and dinosaurs together? Maybe...

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

1 backer
Limited (2 left of 3)

UNLOCKED DIGITAL SERVICE - PIXTON: A full-year school license (100 students) to Pixton, the award-winning online comic-making tool that empowers the world to create,
collaborate and communication with comics, no drawing required!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $175 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

ORIGINAL X-MEN ART - JEFF PARKER: The original pencils for Page #1 from X-MEN: FIRST CLASS SPECIAL (VOL. 2) by the one and only Jeff Parker!

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

3 backers
All gone!

CASTING CALL: Take on a guest-star role (With dialogue and everything!) in "Albert the Alien: ' It's a Figure of Speech'" by Trevor Mueller and Gabe Bautista! Includes the original art of the page where you make your comic debut and a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print & digital).

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

1 backer
All gone!

ORIGINAL ART: A page of original art from "Special Delivery to Shangri-La" by Janet and Mike Lee. Package includes a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print & digital).

Pledge $200 or more

1 backer
All gone!

CASTING CALL – LEAD ROLE: Give the ultimate gift to a comic-loving kid – a starring role in Russell Lissau and mpMann's "Field Trip”! The backer will get to name the story's chief protagonist AND help influence the character design! This rewards includes a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print and digital). Caveat: Must be a male name/design.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED SKETCH - PHIL NOTO: An 11 x 17 single figure in grey marker sketch by the one and only Phil Noto! No waiting in line!

Pledge $250 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

UNLOCKED GUEST LECTURE: Receive a Skype or other internet guest lecture discussing the value of teaching comics and graphic novels, by the woman who (literally) wrote the books on the subject, Dr. Katie Monnin! The lecture will be tailored to your students and your curriculum needs. It also comes with a signed copy of TEACHING GRAPHIC NOVELS or TEACHING EARLY READER COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS (your choice).

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL ART - TIM SALE: Own the original art of page #21 from "Superman Confidential" #3 by comics icon Tim Sale! A true one-of-a-kind item!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

0 backers

UNLOCKED GUEST LECTURE: Receive a Skype or other internet guest lecture discussing teaching comics and graphic novels, by a leading figure in the comics-and-literacy movement, Dr. James Bucky Carter! The lecture will be tailored to your students and your curriculum needs. It also comes with a signed copy of SUPER-POWERED WORD STUDY: TEACHING WORDS AND WORD PARTS THROUGH COMICS the CD version of RATIONALES FOR TEACHING GRAPHIC NOVELS (your choice).

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $275 or more

7 backers

CLASSROOM SET - PRINT: Provide an entire classroom of kids (25 total) with the hardcover print edition of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK!

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $275 or more

4 backers
All gone!

UNLOCKED CUSTOM ACTION FIGURE: It's your turn to be the hero! Get a personalized, custom action figure (includes 2 accessories, stand and custom packaging) made in your likeness by toy customizing maestro Doug Brown! See his work here: www.majhost.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=daremo

Pledge $400 or more

CLASSROOM SET - PRINT AND DIGITAL: Make a lot of kids VERY happy when you purchase a complete classroom set (25 copies) of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK in print and digital format!

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $450 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED CASTING CALL AND MORE - DAVID PETERSEN: Become a part of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK! You not only get to design a Pokemon-style monster for the "Probamon" story, you ALSO get to appear alongside your monster in the comic itself! Oh, and David (MOUSEGUARD) Petersen will personally draw your monster for the "Probamon" trading card set! Also includes a copy (print & digital) of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK and David's original art!

Pledge $500 or more

1 backer
All gone!

ORIGINAL COVER ART: Clear some space on your wall to hang the original cover art of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK by the incomparable Ben Caldwell! Combined front and back penciled cover (11"x17"), also includes a copy of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK (print & digital).

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $550 or more

1 backer
All gone!

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL ART - JILL THOMPSON: Get the original, painted artwork for the cover of the first READING WITH PICTURES ANTHOLOGY by legendary artist Jill Thompson!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $600 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

CASTING CALL - MARK WAID: Be a walk-on "extra" - your name and likeness in a panel! - in an upcoming installment of INSUFFERABLE, Thrillbent.com's premier weekly digital comic! INSUFFERABLE is a free-to-view digital comic, so it'll be easy to share this event with all of your friends with just a mouse click!

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

You selected

Pledge $750 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

UNLOCKED ORIGINAL ART - LOTR BY MARK BROOKS: Own the original 13"x19" artwork depicting Ian McKellan as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo from the limited edition "Lord of the Rings" trading card series from Topps by superstar artist Mark (X-MEN LEGACY) Brooks!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $1,500 or more

1 backer
Limited (4 left of 5)

UNLOCKED SCHOOL VISIT: Win a visit to your school or library RWP founder and award-winning comic creator (MAIL ORDER NINJA, THE BATMAN STRIKES) Josh Elder! Josh will travel anywhere in the continental United States and provide a complete day's worth of student workshops, and he'll even stick around after school for an educator seminar on using comics in the classroom. Also comes with a complete classroom set (30 copies) of the first RWP ANTHOLOGY!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

1 backer
All gone!

EXCLUSIVE DIGITAL RIGHTS: Own the exclusive right to distribute THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK digitally in all formats and platforms.